On the eve of Parliament’s Budget session, Opposition parties set the stage for a contentious debate during an all party meeting. They urged the government to allow discussions on several key issues, including the Uttar Pradesh Government’s order affecting eateries along the Kanwar Yatra route and leaks of crucial exams like NEET.
In a departure from recent practice, the government invited several smaller parties to signal a broader political outreach. While the government expressed readiness to discuss all issues, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that such discussions must adhere to parliamentary rules.
He urged all parties to cooperate for the smooth functioning of Parliament, emphasizing that it is a shared responsibility.
Both BJP allies and Opposition parties united in their demand for special category status for various states, presenting the government with a challenging issue to address during the session.
At the meeting of 44 parties, including some with just one MP, representatives from JD(U) (a BJP ally), BJD, and YSR Congress Party each requested special category status for Bihar, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh, respectively.
The meeting, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, also saw the Opposition RJD and BJP ally LJP (Ram Vilas) support the demand for Bihar. Congress leader K. Suresh informed reporters that his party, along with other INDIA bloc members, is advocating for the Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker position for the Opposition as per convention.
He mentioned that they also highlighted the need for discussions on various other issues in Parliament, such as the increase in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, the situation in Manipur, train accidents, unemployment, and rising prices.
The Congress raised concerns about alleged irregularities in exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, whose chairperson recently resigned for reportedly personal reasons.
Given the positions of several Opposition parties, including Congress, DMK, and AAP, it is highly likely that the political controversy surrounding the Uttar Pradesh Government’s directive for eateries and carts along the Kanwar Yatra route to display their owners’ names will become a major topic in Parliament when the session begins on Monday.
Samajwadi Party’s Ram Gopal Yadav claimed that the move is clearly aimed at Muslims and accused the ruling BJP in the state of pursuing divisive politics.
Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi criticized the decision at the all-party meeting, while AAP’s Sanjay Singh echoed similar concerns. Singh also raised issues regarding the misuse of Central probe agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate, accusing the Narendra Modi Government of targeting AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently in Tihar Jail in connection with the excise policy case.
He stated that the Centre has been allocating only Rs 350 crore to Delhi over the past nine years and forecasted that this allocation will remain unchanged when the Budget is presented on July 23.
DMK’s Tiruchi Siva criticized the government’s handling of the NEET medical entrance examination and called for a discussion on the matter.
In response, the government urged Opposition parties to avoid disrupting Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha proceedings, seeking their cooperation to ensure smooth operation of Parliament.
Rajnath Singh and Rijiju noted the Opposition’s persistent protests during Prime Minister Modi’s response to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address in the Lok Sabha’s previous session, stressing that such disruptions should not recur.
The meeting was attended by fifty-five leaders, including Rajya Sabha’s Leader of the House and BJP President J P Nadda, Congress’ Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister and LJP leader Chirag Paswan. The government invited all parties, including those with only one member, except Independents. The meeting lasted over three hours.
The TMC was absent from the meeting due to its annual ‘Martyrs’ Day’ rally in Kolkata on Sunday.
YSR Congress leader V Vijaysai Reddy accused the newly formed TDP government in Andhra Pradesh of fostering lawlessness and called for President’s rule in the state.
In addition to advocating for special category status or a special package for Bihar, JD(U) leader Sanjay Kumar Jha urged the Centre to address the annual floods in north Bihar caused by water release from neighboring Nepal.
BJD MP Sasmit Patra stated after the meeting that his party will act as a strong opposition in the House.
Jairam Ramesh, who shared some points from the meeting on X, noted, “The political climate has shifted significantly! During the all-party meeting of floor leaders, the BJD leader reminded Defence Minister and BJP President JP Nadda of the BJP’s 2014 Odisha assembly election manifesto promise for special category status for the state.”
Ramesh also mentioned that there was a widespread call for reopening the Central Hall to allow MPs to interact with each other.
The Budget session will include 19 sittings until August 12. During this period, the government plans to present six Bills, including one to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act. Additionally, Parliament is expected to approve the budget for Jammu and Kashmir, which is currently under central rule.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Economic Survey in Parliament on Monday and unveil the Budget the following day.
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